101 Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Cruise

Planning your first cruise? We love cruising, and I think you’ll love it too. Cruising combines relaxation, adventure, and convenience—all in one trip. Unpack once, visit multiple destinations, and enjoy world-class dining and service onboard. You choose how active or laid-back each day is. The whole family is entertained. With lodging, meals, and activities included, it ends up being a great deal for our family.

So, get ready for one of the most exciting and relaxing vacations you’ll ever take—but also one with its own set of rules, routines, and hidden surprises. Whether you’re sailing with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney, or Princess, cruising is a unique experience that can feel overwhelming for beginners. So, here’s the ultimate list of cruise tips, tricks, and hacks every first-time cruiser should know.

This is a LOOOONG list…you might want to make a sandwich…

You Can Bid on Cabins

Many cruise lines now offer cabin upgrade bidding programs, allowing passengers to bid on higher-category rooms (like balconies or suites) at a potentially discounted rate.

How It Works:

After booking, the cruise line may email you an invitation (usually 1–4 weeks before sailing). Select which cabin types you’re willing to bid on (e.g., oceanview, balcony, suite). Use a sliding scale or set your offer for each category. Some lines let you bid on multiple room types at once. You’ll be notified—typically 2–7 days before your cruise—if your bid was accepted. If accepted, your bid is charged automatically. Most bids are final and non-refundable. The cruise line will assign your cabin location.

Major Cruise Lines That Offer Bidding:

• Royal Caribbean: RoyalUp
• Norwegian Cruise Line: Upgrade Advantage
• Celebrity Cruises: MoveUp
• MSC Cruises: MSC Upgrade
• Princess Cruises: Upgrade with Princess

Tips:

• Bidding more doesn’t always guarantee success—but low bids rarely win.
• You can keep your original cabin if the bid isn’t accepted.
• Perks from your original fare (e.g., drink packages) may or may not carry over—check the terms.
• FYI – I had a friend bid and win an oceanview cabin. The room had a small porthole. The bid was $600. She said it was not worth it.

You Can Tier Match Your Cruise Status

Tier matching is also known as status matching. This allows frequent cruisers to receive loyalty perks on a new cruise line based on their existing loyalty status with another cruise line. It’s a great way to try a new line without starting from scratch.

You can tier match if you’re a high-tier loyalty member with one cruise line (e.g., Platinum with Carnival or Diamond with Royal Caribbean). Certain other lines may match your status and offer comparable perks. You can enjoy priority boarding, onboard discounts, or even free laundry and specialty dining.

Cruise Lines That Offer Tier Matching

MSC Cruises – MSC Voyagers Club

• Who they match: Other cruise lines, hotel programs (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors), and some airline status.
• How to match:
  1. Join the MSC Voyagers Club and Visit the MSC Status Match Page
  2. Submit proof of your current status with a competing program (screenshot, card, or account page).
  3. Match requests are typically processed within a few days.
• Perks: Free welcome fruit basket, priority boarding, discounts, free specialty dining (depending on tier).

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Costa Cruises – Costa Club

• Who they match: Other cruise line loyalty programs and sometimes hotel or airline programs.
• How to match: Email Costa with proof of your current status and ask to be evaluated for a match.

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Other Lines (Occasional or Invite-Only)

Some lines offer limited or promotional status matching:

• Norwegian Cruise Line (Latitudes) – No formal program, but may match in special promos or for The Haven.
• Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, and Holland America – Do not currently offer official status matches.
• Luxury lines (like Oceania or Azamara) may offer perks for elite guests on a case-by-case basis through travel agents.

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How to Match Your Status

1. Join the new cruise line’s loyalty program.
2. Collect your proof:
   • Screenshot of your current status/tier.
   • Membership card image.
   • Recent sailing history (if needed).
3. Submit a request online or by email.
4. Wait for approval, which can take from 24 hours to a few days.
5. Enjoy matched perks on your next sailing!

Eating & Drinking on Your Cruise

You can bring your bottled water or sodas onboard.

While water, coffee, and tea are usually free on a cruise, you often have to go to the ship’s restaurants to get them. However, non-alcoholic drinks like sodas (and sometimes juice) cost extra (usually around $3-$4 per serving). Bringing those on with you when allowed can save you a decent amount of money. Check with your cruise line for exact rules, but here’s what we’ve learned so far:

• Carnival allows a maximum of 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less, per person
• Royal Caribbean guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items on the day of boarding. Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles, or cartons per stateroom. Milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use are permitted.
• Princess allows 12 sealed, unopened cans/cartons of 12 ounces each or less per person. Bottles are not allowed.
• Norwegian does not allow drinks – only purified or distilled water in sealed containers is permitted. For medical devices like CPAPs or baby formula, sealed containers are also acceptable. You can also bring a bottle of sealed wine/champagne.
• Holland America guests can bring up to six liters of drinking water (in cans or cartons) with them when they board.
• Disney Cruise provides non-alcoholic beverages (including soda) on its ships. There is no mention of them being prohibited when boarding. If you want to bring your favorite soda, it must be brought on board in your carry-on. You are also allowed 2 bottles of unopened wine per person.

DO NOT try to sneak alcohol on board. I had a friend try to sneak vodka in water bottles. The agents turned the clear water bottles upside-down and knew it was alcohol. They have seen every trick there is!

Bring Your Seasonings

• The food may not be seasoned to your liking. The chefs are trying to accommodate everyone, I’m sure. If you need your Tony Chachere’s, Tabasco, or other seasonings, bring them with you.

Bring a Tupperware with Waffle Cones

• The Tupperware will keep the waffle cones from breaking in your luggage. Use the Tupperware to bring food from the buffet to your room (or fruit from the buffet to snack on by the pool). And, you’ll have waffle cones for the ice cream machine!

Try Everything on the Menu

• In the main dining room, you can order multiple appetizers, entrees, and desserts. If you can’t decide between 2 entrees, order them both. On Captain’s Night, the dining rooms sometimes serve lobster tail and prime rib. I order both! So good! I don’t want to be greedy or wasteful, so I don’t order apps or dessert if I order 2 entrees.

Order Room Service

On most cruise lines, room service is free. Some even let you pre-order breakfast for the next morning so that you can have your coffee and eggs in your PJs. Check with the cruise line as some have started charging a small fee for room service or a new “enhanced” room service option that costs extra.

Cruises with Complimentary Room Service

• Disney Cruise Line – 24‑hour complimentary room service. Premium upgrades (coffee, snacks, drinks) cost extra.
• Princess Cruises – Complimentary 24‑hour room service; select premium dishes (filet mignon, pizza) may carry extra charges.
• Holland America Line – 24‑hour free room service. Premium items (lobster, steak) listed at extra cost.
• Cunard – Generally included with your fare. Note: as of June 2025, Britannia cabin guests pay for room service after 10 a.m.; Grill-suite guests still enjoy all-day complimentary service.
• Celebrity Cruises – Complimentary room service except for a $4.95–$9.95 late-night/delivery fee (11 p.m.–6 a.m.)—waived for suite/The Retreat & top-tier loyalty members.
• Azamara (ultra‑premium, ocean) – 24‑hour complimentary in‑stateroom dining.
• Oceania Cruises – 24-hour free room service.
• Viking Ocean Cruises – Free 24‑hour room service.
• Silversea, Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas (ultra‑luxury) – Complimentary course‑by‑course room service included.
• Crystal Cruises – 24‑hour complimentary in‑room dining.

Mixed or Tiered Room Service Access

• MSC Cruises – Bella tier: charged items + $3.50 delivery fee. Fantastica/Aurea tiers: free delivery, but food costs apply. Yacht Club: free delivery, food charges still apply.
• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) – Continental breakfast/free coffee included. Other room service incurs ~$7.95–$9.95 convenience fee (plus gratuity). The Haven suites: full complimentary service.
• Royal CaribbeanComplimentary continental breakfast; other orders charged ~$7.95 per order plus gratuity. Complimentary room service in grand suites.
• Carnival Cruise Line – Free continental breakfast (6 am–10 am); other menu items charged ($2–6 + gratuity).
• Costa Cruises -In-cabin breakfast and snack ordering are included only for Premium/Deluxe guests; other lines may charge.

B.Y.O.B

• Bring Your Own Bottle (refillable cup or bottle) – I suggest bringing a water bottle on your cruise. They are easy to fill and refill while on board and you can carry it with you. You can carry your water with you to the pool, mini golf course, jogging track, etc. without walking back and forth to the grill or buffet to fill your glass (I also like to fill one to have water to drink in my cabin at night).
• If heading off the ship for an excursion, you can carry your water bottle with you.  In some countries, it is best to drink bottled water and avoid tap water, and bottled water isn’t always available. In some destinations, credit cards and US dollars aren’t accepted just for a bottle of water.

Dealing With Seasickness on a Cruise

Our family has never experienced any seasickness on a cruise, but if you find yourself in this predicament (or think you might), here are a few suggestions:

• Ask a room service attendant for Green Apples and Saltine Crackers
• Bring ginger tea or ginger candy (some people swear by the sugar and bubbles in ginger ale)
• Acupressure and/or Sea Bands
• Some people have found it helpful to get in the pool. The cool water is refreshing and floating in the water (moving with the water in the pool instead of moving with the ship) can help with the confusion in your inner ear (which is what causes the seasickness in the first place).
• Try to book a stateroom in the middle of the ship. While the boat may feel like it’s going up and down at both ends (like a see-saw), the middle of the ship will remain steady since it experiences less motion.
• Stay hydrated!
• If you are concerned that you will get seasick and want to take medication, please speak with a doctor first!

And, you can always visit Guest Services and ask for seasickness pills. They usually have them and give them to guests who experience seasickness while on the cruise.

• Nausea doesn’t just happen on cruise ships. Some shore excursions involve bus rides and/or small boat rides to reach certain destinations. Plan ahead – I’ve had friends get very sick on these excursions. You can also skip excursions and enjoy having an almost empty ship. You’ll get all the deck chairs to yourself, and the spa usually runs specials on those days!

Ways to Have Fun on a Cruise Ship

Visit a Water Park for Free the Day Before Your Cruise (2025-2025)

• Disney World offers free tickets to one of its water parks on arrival day if you are staying at one of its resort properties. If you were planning to stay at a hotel in Orlando the night before anyway, book a Disney room and visit one of their water parks for free.

Enter Contests &  Sit Up Front at Shopping Lectures

There are usually lots of games and events to participate in on cruise ships. If you are at a seminar/lecture, and the speaker asks for a volunteer, throw your hand in the air and wave it like you just don’t care – and like you want some free stuff. There is probably a prize for the person who is chosen.

• We went to a shopping seminar to hear about things to do in Cozumel. The speaker asked for a volunteer. The lady who was chosen was given a poncho, sombrero, and some tequila. It was part of a cute little demonstration, and she got to keep everything she was given. She was sitting in the front row. At that same demonstration, my kiddos won a Del Sol Frisbee that changes color in the sun.
• We also went to a sale on jewelry at the Carnival Fun Shops. Before the sale started, the lady asked for two volunteers.  She asked for two men to compete to make a bracelet for their wife or girlfriend. It was hilarious to watch them try to make the bracelet, and they both walked away with some jewelry as a prize.
• My son volunteered to play a game at Hasbro Game Night and ended up winning a $100 Hasbro Gift Card. We also won a pearl necklace and earrings at a jewelry store in Cozumel.
• There are usually lots of games, contests, and seminars on cruises – lots of opportunities to have a lot of fun and possibly walk away with a prize.

Attend Game Shows and Trivia

• These are lots of fun, and you can win prizes or drink vouchers.

Don’t Miss the Cruise Sailaway Party

• Lots of music, dancing, and photo ops. It’s a great way to get the vacation started!

Explore Hidden Spots on the Cruise Ship

• Look for “secret” decks, usually located at the front of the ship (especially on Carnival and Royal Caribbean ships).
• Most ships have cozy libraries stocked with books, board games, and puzzles. On sea days, these are rarely crowded.

Making Friends and Being Socialable in Your Cruise

If you want to meet new people and make friends on the ship, here are a few ways you can do that:

• Join Group Activities – Cruises have a nice variety of activities on their ships, like cooking classes, art auctions, and stargazing sessions. You can also join in trivia contests, crafting classes, dance parties, or shore excursions.  Karaoke competitions and scavenger hunts are also a lot of fun. Even if you’re not the competitive type, these events are often hilarious and a great way to meet fellow passengers. Check the ship’s itinerary every day (or the night before to make plans.)
• Shared Seating in the Main Dining Room – Meet new people over a nice meal. Some cruise lines rotate table assignments every night, so you’re always meeting new people.
• Onboard Apps or Bulletin Boards – Keep an eye on this to find groups meeting up to play cards, joining shore excursions, or hanging out at one of the bars.
• Onboard Clubs – Most cruise lines have a kids’ club and a teens’ club. Kiddos and teenagers can meet up at these clubs and make friends.

Photo Above: I took the littles and teenagers to learn how to make towel animals. It was a fun, family activity that we all enjoyed.

Above Photo: My five-year-old son won the Hasbro Family Game Night! He won several travel games and a $100 Hasbro gift card.

Getting Fancy

Upgrade, Anyone?

• After you are on the ship, head to guest services and ask if there are any upgraded cabins available. Sometimes, you can get cabin upgrades at an amazing deal. It never hurts to ask!

Pack for Formal Nights

Cruise ships often host formal nights as part of their dining and entertainment experiences, allowing guests to dress up and enjoy an elegant evening onboard. Here’s a short overview of how different cruise lines approach formal nights:

• Carnival Cruise Line: Known for its relaxed vibe, Carnival typically offers one or two “Cruise Elegant” evenings on sailings of six nights or more. While not overly strict, guests are encouraged to dress in cocktail attire or suits.
• Royal Caribbean: Offers “Formal Nights” on cruises five nights or longer. These events suggest tuxedos or suits for men and evening gowns or cocktail dresses for women, but many guests opt for less formal options.
• Princess Cruises: Features “Formal Evenings” (also called “Dress to Impress”) where passengers are encouraged to wear elegant attire. On longer cruises, there may be two or more formal nights.
• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL): Promotes a “Freestyle” approach with no mandatory formal nights. However, they do host “Norwegian’s Night Out”, where guests can dress up if they choose.

Formal Nights (continued)

• Celebrity Cruises: Hosts “Evening Chic” nights, a modern take on formal wear that’s less rigid but still stylish, encouraging cocktail dresses, dress shirts, and designer jeans or slacks.
• Holland America Line: Offers “Gala Nights” featuring elegant menus and dress codes that encourage suits and ties or formal dresses.
• Disney Cruise Line: Includes a “Formal Night”, a “Semi-Formal Night”, and often a “Pirate Night” for themed fun. Formal attire is encouraged, especially for character photos.
• MSC Cruise Line: Every MSC cruise includes at least one Gala Night (aka “Formal Night,” “Elegant Night,” or “Captain’s Night”). On shorter sailings (3–6 nights), there’s usually one Formal night. On a 7-night cruise, expect two; even more on longer trips.
  Dress code: Men in tuxedos or dark suits with ties; women in evening gowns or cocktail dresses. These events often feature a gourmet dining menu and photos with the Captain.MSC also has a White Night (White Party). It is nearly always included, even on short cruises. Guests are encouraged—but not required—to wear all white. This popular theme night features music, decorations, and often dancing under colored lights or in the atrium.

Eat Breakfast in the Dining Room

Eating breakfast in a cruise ship’s main dining room offers several benefits:

• Relaxed Atmosphere: Unlike the often-crowded buffet, the dining room provides a quieter, more leisurely experience with table service.
• Higher Food Quality: You’ll typically find made-to-order options like eggs Benedict, fresh pancakes, or smoked salmon that may not be available in the buffet.
• No Wait in Line: Instead of navigating self-serve stations, your food is brought directly to you—great for a calm start to the day.
• Consistent Seating: You may be seated with the same waitstaff each morning, which can make service faster and more personalized.
• Special Menu Items: Some dining rooms offer unique or rotating breakfast dishes that aren’t found elsewhere on the ship.

Saving Money on Your Cruise

Skip the ATM Fees

• Go to the casino and visit any of the slot machines. Charge your amount to your room and cash out. Go to the cashier and get your cash.

Speaking of the Casino…

• Spend a few hours at the casino on the ship. They keep up with how much time a person spends there. They will send you offers to cruise again at very discounted rates or free (paying only port charges and taxes).

Wi-Fi is Expensive – Download Before You Go

• Download entertainment, maps, or translation apps before boarding. Some ships offer messaging via their app even without paid Wi-Fi.

Bring Your Meds

• Medication on board cruise ships is very expensive. If you think you might need aspirin, ibuprofen, nausea meds, etc, you might want to bring your own.

Watch for Discounts on Spa & Specialty Dining

• Embarkation and port days often have deals on spa services and specialty dining. You can check the cruise app, and the cruise itinerary, or ask in person.

Bring Your Snorkeling Gear

• Buying or renting Snorkeling Gear Can be expensive. You can save a lot of money by bringing your own.

Get the Most Buzz for Your Buck

• Okay, so I’m allergic to most alcohol…yes, sad, but I know someone who fills their water cup with juice at breakfast and orders shots or double shots throughout the day to add to the juice. It’s a less expensive way to drink!

Skip the Shore Excursions

• Some shore excursions are amazing! And, for us, it might be the only way we see another country. But, some ports just aren’t worth it (I’m looking at you, Progresso). We would rather enjoy a day on board the ship than visit some places. It saves us money (taxis, eating out, excursion fees, etc) and we enjoy an almost empty boat. It’s nice to have the boat all to yourself! We can sleep late, have our choice of deck chairs, and find great deals at the spa!
• If you do want to get off the boat, but you don’t want to pay for an excursion, you can plan your own fun. Research the public beaches, local transport, and local attractions in the area. The ship’s crew is also great for finding out information about the local scene! Just, please be careful!

Take a Sporty Cruise

• Shop around for a cruise during Super Bowl Weekend (or other big sporting event). You usually find really good deals, there are unlimited snacks (that you don’t have to make!), and you can watch the game on a big screen (usually on deck or in a theater).

Budget for Onboard Expenses

• Not everything is included in your cruise fare. Some meals, drinks, and services incur additional costs. And it’s easy to spend the money…it magically gets charged to your room for you to worry about later. My rule for cruises is Pay Ahead or Plan Ahead. I pay for gratuities and drink packages in advance. If we are given an onboard credit, I save it for photos from Captain’s Night or other events that are photographed. I set aside money for special kids’ events that my kiddos will want to participate in (like Build-A-Bear). It’s best to plan as best you can, but be prepared for surprise expenses.

Sometimes the Steam Room/Sauna is Free

• On some cruise ships, access to the sauna, relaxation lounges, and steam rooms in the gym area is completely free. However, it is always best to check with your specific cruise line or travel agent for the most accurate information.

Saving Your Sanity

Don’t Book Rooms Next to a Nightclub or Elevator or Under the Pool

• Don’t book a room underneath a pool, next to a nightclub, or situated near an elevator. These rooms tend to be the noisiest!

Keep Those Water Bottles Clean

• You can put dish soap on a cheap sponge and cut it up. Put it in a plastic bag and carry it on board. You can use the mini sponges to wash your water bottles in your room.

Noise Maker or Fan at Night

• You will hear kids running down the hall, coming back from the pool, or from other events. And some guests are just loud. If you want to turn in early, sleep late, or just get a good night’s sleep, a fan or noise maker is a must-have.

Don’t Overpack – Laundry Options Exist

• Most ships have laundromats or laundry services. Norwegian and Carnival sometimes offer a flat-fee laundry special mid-cruise.

Get Your Cruise Stateroom How You Want It

• Okay, I haven’t tried this one yet. But, I have a friend who writes a list that includes extra pillows, a mattress topper, a fan, robes, and extra blankets. She hands the list to her room attendant, asks politely (says thank you!), and gives a generous tip on the first day of the cruise. Her room is set up on day one, and she doesn’t have to ask for these things later (also supply is limited, and they can run out)! Of course, these items stay behind when you leave the ship.
• Some Ships have a Secret “Sleep Menu” that offers different pillows free of charge. If you like your pillow extra soft, need a body pillow, or can’t sleep without a top sheet, just ask a crew member after you board the boat.

Pack Magnetic Hooks

• Cruise cabins are made of metal (basically a shipping container). Having metal hooks helps to keep bathing suits, hats, and other items off the floor. We like to use them to hang our lanyards so we don’t misplace them. You can also place the magnetic hooks on the ceiling and hang curtains for extra privacy or an extra changing area. It’s a little extra work at the beginning of the trip, but the families that use it love it.

Maximize Your Time On Board

• You can use the cruise line’s app (or your cabin steward will give you a printed schedule every night) to see the next day’s schedule. This will help you make plans – join in trivia contests, enjoy live music, go to themed parties, dance classes, etc. We have learned how to make towel animals, taken a class to learn the “Thriller” dance, and visited an art auction (free champagne served at these!). Take a few minutes each night to circle your favorites on the schedule. You can also set alarms on your phone for the activities you want to participate in.

Use the Spa Restroom

• Some ships (like Carnival) let you use their spa showers/restrooms for free. They have plenty of towels, toilets (bigger than the ones in your stateroom), and huge showers. You can also use the sauna and steam rooms for free. If sharing a stateroom bathroom with your roommates becomes annoying, just head over to the spa!

Surviving Disembarkation

• Cruise lines usually ask passengers to pack their luggage and leave it outside their cabin door on the last night on the ship. It’s best to keep a small carry-on with anything you’ll need overnight and the next morning. Make sure your carry-on has clothes, toiletries, medications, and all your important documents.
• Don’t forget to review your onboard account before heading to bed. Cruise ships operate on a cashless system, so if you buy drinks, photos, souvenirs, etc, it will be on the bill. To avoid any surprises on your account, review your statement on the cruise app or at Guest Services.
• If you have a flight or other reservation to catch, you might want to get off the boat as soon as possible. We are usually driving home, so we enjoy one last breakfast in the dining room. We would rather spend our morning enjoying one last meal instead of standing in line.

• On busy days, like embarkation day and disembarkation day, most people use the elevators in the middle of the ship. It is usually better to use the elevators at the back of the ship.

Give Your Indoor Stateroom a “Window”

You can turn on your TV (volume down) and turn it to the bridge cam station. It makes you feel like you have a window, makes a great nightlight, and helps you wake up in the mornings!

Never Leave the Ship Without All the Contact Details

• Be safe and keep your ship’s contact details on your phone, written down (put in your pocket or another safe place) in case you need to call back.

GENERAL CRUISE TIPS FOR FIRST-TIMERS

• Arrive at Port City a Day Early -Flights can be delayed—don’t risk missing your ship. Arrive the day before your cruise.
• Bring a Carry-On with Essentials – Pack swimwear, medications, documents, and a change of clothes. Your checked luggage may take hours to arrive.
• Use Magnets for Storage – Cruise cabin walls are metal! Bring magnetic hooks and organizers for hanging towels, clothes, or accessories.
• Pack a small flashlight – Use this for lighting your way at night in the stateroom. Of course, you can also use the flashlight on your cell phone.
• Lanyards for Your Cruise Card – Your cruise card is your key to your room, ID, and payment method. Keep it handy with a lanyard.
• Book Excursions Early – Cruise-sponsored excursions can sell out. Booking early ensures you get your preferred tours.
• Don’t Skip the Muster Drill – It’s mandatory and not optional. It’s also often required before the ship can leave port.
• Wi-Fi is Expensive – Download Before You Go – Download entertainment, maps, or translation apps before boarding. Some ships offer messaging via their app even without paid Wi-Fi.
• Pack a Power Strip (Cruise-Approved) – Most cabins have limited outlets. Avoid surge-protected ones (they’re banned).
• Budget for Gratuities – Tips are often auto-added daily ($14–$20 per person/day). You can prepay them if you prefer.
• Bring Refillable Water Bottles – Fill your bottle at the buffet or drink stations. Bottled water on board is pricey.

PORT & EXCURSION TIPS

• Get Back On Time – Ships will leave without you if you’re late and not on a cruise-sponsored excursion.
• Use Local Transportation (With Caution) – In some ports, taxis and public transportation are cheaper than ship excursions, but do your research first. Please use caution!
• Keep Your Cruise Card and ID Handy – You’ll need both when getting off and back on the ship.

• Don’t Leave The Ship without the Cruise Ship’s Contact Info – Be safe and keep your ship’s contact details on your phone, written down (put in your pocket or another safe place) in case you need to call back.

TECH & CONNECTIVITY

• Use Cruise Line Apps – Most major lines have apps that let you check daily schedules and menus. You can also book activities and message other guests.
• Put Your Phone in Airplane Mode – Avoid International Roaming Charges! I know someone who declined an incoming call, and the phone company still charged her $20!!
• Pack External Power Banks and Extra Power Outlets – Outlets in your stateroom can be limited, so bring an extra outlet (we like the ones with USB chargers). External Power Banks also help keep you from running back to your room to charge your phone.

CRUISE LINE-SPECIFIC RULES & TIPS

Carnival Cruise Line

• BYOB: 1 bottle of wine/champagne per adult (750ml). No beer or liquor.
• Dress Code: “Cruise Casual” in main dining rooms; no flip flops at dinner.
• Hub App: Free messaging between guests (small fee applies).

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

• Drink Packages: Buy before your cruise for discounts.
• App: Used for reservations, activities, and room keys on some ships.
• Formal Nights: Usually 1-2 per sailing (bring formalwear if you want to participate).

Norwegian Cruise Line

• Freestyle Cruising: No assigned dining times or formal nights—very casual.
• Laundry Deal: Often offers a $20 laundry bag mid-cruise.
• Unlimited Open Bar Package: Often included in promotions, but be aware of added gratuities.

Princess Cruise Line

• MedallionClass: A wearable smart device replaces your keycard and links to the app.
• Formal Nights: Still observed—pack accordingly.
• No Self-Service Laundry on Some Ships: Check ahead if you plan to do laundry.

Disney Cruise Line

• BYOB: 2 bottles of wine/champagne (750ml) or 6 beers per adult at each port.
• Fish Extender Gift Exchange: Participate if you want to engage in the community.
• Character Meet & Greets: Book early—spots fill fast!

Packing and Planning

What to Pack

• Sea sickness remedies (Dramamine, ginger, SeaBands)
• Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
• Day bag for port days
• Waterproof phone case
• Small first aid kit
• Chargers and Portable Phone Batteries
• Sunglasses
• Beach Hat
• Camera
• Medications (prescription and OTC)
• Ziplock bags (snacks, wet clothes, etc.)
• Clothing – swimsuits, shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, shoes, formal dress, underwear, etc.
• Light jacket or sweater (ships can be cold)
• Toiletries
• Skin Care and Make-up
• Curling Irons and Hair Straighteners + Hair Products
• Poopouri or Mini Can of Lysol Spray for the bathroom
• Emergen-C (taken before, during, and after the cruise)
• Hydration/Electrolytes (like Liquid IV)
• Tray or Baking Sheet, Dollar Tree to-go boxes, and a bag- You can use these to carry food from the buffet to your room. Think: bringing breakfast for everyone, still getting ready in the room, snacks to save for late nights when you don’t want pizza again, etc.

Pre-Trip Planning

• Book flights with a buffer: Arrive at the port city 1 day early
• Complete online check-in with the cruise line
• Print/download boarding pass & luggage tags
• Confirm that the passport or required ID is valid
• Pre-book:
  • Excursions
  • Specialty Dining
  • Internet package (if needed)
  • Drink package (compare prices)

With a little preparation, your first cruise should be smooth sailing (see what I did there?) Bon voyage—and don’t forget to bookmark this guide so you’re always just a step away from cruise-day success!

Anything I missed? Let me know in the comments!

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